Charles Barkley on the New NFL Season, NBA Sleepers, Caitlin’s Detractors, and TV Networks Screwing Things Up

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to discuss the Jets destroying the Patriots on 'TNF' (2:46) before running through the Week 3 slate (9:45) and making the Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 3 (46:03). Then Bill talks with Steven Ruiz to take a victory lap about his Bryce Young prediction before giving his five favorite hot takes after NFL Week 2 (52:46). Finally, Bill is joined by Craig Horlbeck to discuss his five favorite observations from the fantasy football season (1:27:37). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Joe House, Steven Ruiz, and Craig Horlbeck Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN's Zach Lowe to discuss their biggest concerns for the 2024-25 NBA season, including Giannis's supporting cast on the Bucks, the Nuggets in a wide-open Western Conference (1:43), Joel Embiid's health, Ja Morant, the wild-card Pelicans (30:09), Celtics variables (55:28), the Lakers and Clippers, the Knicks' Julius Randle problem, and more (1:11:22). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Zach Lowe Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Texans' win in what seemed like an endless 'SNF' matchup with the Bears (1:19); all the 0-2 teams; some surprising upsets, including 49ers-Vikings, Lions-Buccaneers, and Cowboys-Saints (4:34); the Jets escaping the Titans; and the Seahawks' overtime win in Foxborough (42:22). Then Bill makes some statements after the Week 2 slate and asks Sal if they're "definitely" or "maybe" true (47:49). Finally, they guess the lines for NFL Week 3 (1:03:33) before closing the show with Parent Corner (1:25:02). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons quickly reacts to the Bills' ‘TNF’ win over the Dolphins, and another scary head injury for Tua Tagovailoa (0:55), before he is joined by Michael Lombardi to discuss the Packers likely starting Malik WIllis at QB vs. the Colts (7:39), at what point the Giants should start a rebuild, Jets concerns, the Browns' QB conundrum, Jaguars optimism (22:50), Week 2 "zags", and media member Bill Belichick (49:48). Finally, Bill and Joe House run through their favorite NFL games to wager on before giving out the Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 2 (1:16:12). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Michael Lombardi and Joe House Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Sean Fennessey to discuss the Jets' loss to the 49ers on 'MNF' (1:47). Then Bill, Sean, and Van Lathan discuss the highly anticipated Netflix film 'Rebel Ridge,' the upcoming film 'SNL' film, 'Saturday Night' (23:40), and HBO's new 'Sopranos' documentary, 'Wise Guy' (45:06). Finally, Bill and Van discuss some football topics, including Deion Sanders and Colorado, CFB parity, Tyreek Hill, the Super Bowl halftime show, and more (1:18:15). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Sean Fennessey and Van Lathan Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Lions’ overtime win vs. the Rams, Tom Brady’s NFL broadcast debut, and Week 1 panic rankings, including the Falcons, Browns, Bengals, and more (2:12). Then they run through Week 1's "Nobody believes in us" rankings, including the Steelers, Patriots, and Chargers. They also talk Cardinals-Bills, Broncos-Seahawks, Packers-Eagles, and Dolphins-Jaguars (37:26) before guessing the lines for NFL Week 2 (1:00:54). Finally, they close the show with Parent Corner (1:23:24). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Peter Schrager of NFL Network and Fox Sports to discuss the Chiefs narrowly surviving the Ravens in the incredible NFL season opener (3:01). They then talk about the loaded Jets roster, the bad-vibes 49ers, Jaguars optimism (23:25), their biggest "zags" on the 2024-25 season, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick on TV, and more (43:52). Finally, Bill is joined by Joe House to make the Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 1 (1:21:05). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Peter Schrager and Joe House Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Charles Barkley to discuss their excitement for the NFL season, the new chips on Jaylen Brown's and Jayson Tatum's shoulders (1:20), feelings on the 2023-24 NBA season, a retooled Western Conference, 2024-25 NBA sleeper teams, NBA player movement (22:53), WNBA discourse, stories from Barkley's career, the uncertain future of 'Inside the NBA,' and more (52:19)! Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Charles Barkley Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to run through their favorite futures bets for the 2024-25 NFL season (2:39) before guessing the lines for NFL Week 1 (49:52). Then they close the show with Parent Corner (1:22:09). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to run through the expected win totals of every NFC team and make their over/under picks. NFC East (2:04) NFC North (25:52) NFC South (46:44) NFC West (1:02:54) Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices